Blair Collection > How to learn Gaelic

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thairgseadh dhùibh? (17) Chan "eil agam dùibli an dràst ach
otter to-you? Not is at-me to you in meantime but
mo mJiile beannaclid. (18) Slàn leibh I"
my thousiuul of-blessings. Well with-you I"
(19) '■ Mar sin leat>sa, agus soirbheachadli math dliiiit, " ars'
'• Like that with-thce, and success good to-thee," said
an tnathanach.
the farmer.
(20) " D' fhaicinn slàn ; " ars' a" bhean ; " ach mn "n
"Thy seeing well I"
dealaich sinn, innis dhninn c'
will-jiart we, tell to-us what
(21) " Foghnaidli ' Calum Seòladair ' mar ainm domh gns
"Will-suffice 'Malcolm (the) Sailor' as a-name to-me till
an till mi a rithist."
that shall-return I again."
(22) Dh' fhàisg e llàmh gach aoin diiibh gii teann ;
Wrung he (the) hand of-every one of-them tightly ;
tliog e ah', agus cha d" fhairicli e an iiine a' dol thau-is gTis,
lifted he on-him, and not felt he the lime going over till,
mu mheadhon Uà, an do ràinig e am baile-puirt, far an
a)iuut (the) middle -of-day, that reached he the town-of-seaport, where that
do gliabh e air lining a bha gii seoladh do na h-Innsean-
tuok he on a-ship that was to sail to the Indies-
an-Ear.
in -East.
MALCOLM THE SAILOR.
(1) Once upon a time a young sailor was travelling, on a short winter day, be-
tween two seaport towns, which lay a long distance from each other. (2) The day
was cold and stormy, and there was a high wind, and snow, and heavy rain. (3)
He did not know the way ; the night was fast falling upon him, and he knew not
where to spend it. (4) At last, when he knew not what to do, he .saw a little gleam
of light ; he took courage, quickened his step, and in a short time he came to a
farmer's house at the side of the road. (5) He knocked at the door, which was
instantly opened by the goodwife. (6) "Will you be so kind," he said, "as to
allowme to sit at the fireside till morning? (7) I am wetaud tired, and I cannot make my
way in the dark." (8) " Come in, poor man," she answered ; you shall go no farther
to-night. (9) Poor as we are, we will make shift to give you food and drink, and a
bed." (10) When he went in he had the same hearty welcome from the goodman ;
and the little children respectfully got up and made room for him beside the lire.
(11) The worthy woman gave him dry clothes and shoes, and she was not long in
preparing bread and butter and cheese, and warm milk from the fold, for the sailor.
(12) He and the kind family passed the evening comfortably and heartily ; and
after the farmer had asked the l)lessing of God on the company, he wished the
stranger a sound sleep, and they all went to bed. (13) The sailor slept soundly till
he heard the cowherd attending to the cattle at break of day. (14) When he got
up, breakfast was trim and really on the table, and there was welcome on every
face. (15) He ate heartily, and afterwards prepared to leave. (16) " I am not able, '
he said, " to repay you at this time for your kindness, but I shall never forget it ;
and who knows but Providence may some day put it mj power to offer you some-
thing better than thanks? (17) For the present I have nothing for you but my blessing.
(18) Farewell." (19) " Farewell, and good luck to you," said the farmer. (20) " Safe
return to you," said the woman; "but ere we part, tell us your name." (21)
" ' Malcolm the Sailor ' will do till I come back again." He shook hands with them
all wannly ; set off, and did not feel the time long till, about mid-day, he arrived at
his port, where he joined a ship which was about to sail for the East Indies.